Shopping, services, and entertainment center for elderly persons

ABSTRACT

A shopping and entertainment center for elderly persons includes: a motorized scooter adapted to be ridden by the user; a shopping structure to dispense provisions, including a shelf adapted to store and dispense the provisions at a distance above the ground that allows the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter, and a lane adjacent the shelf that is wide enough to allow the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter without blocking the lane; an entertainment structure to provide entertainment, including a module for seating the user while riding the scooter so that the user may receive the entertainment. The scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to provide shopping and entertainment to the user. Also included are covered parking and entrances, and valet parking with attendants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to services for the elderly, and more specifically to a shopping, services, and entertainment center for elderly persons.

The growing generation of independent elderly citizens currently does not have a place specifically for them to shop for daily needs and services, or to obtain entertainment with pride and dignity. Social security is being drained, and will be inadequate to assure quality of living for the baby boomer generation, who number in the millions. Families cannot maintain elderly parents for decades, while living their own lives with quality. Everywhere there are elderly people needing a place for shopping, living, entertainment, and other services. Demographic and retail studies show that an appropriate environment for the elderly is desired.

A person is “elderly” if the person has reduced dexterity, vision, or hearing, or has an elderly lifestyle. Some “elderly” persons are not old at all, but would benefit from specialized accommodations, such as a shopping and living center for the handicapped or the lesser-abled.

It would be desirable to have a system for economic, quality accommodation of elderly persons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for providing shopping and entertainment to a user includes: a motorized scooter adapted to be ridden by the user; a shopping structure to dispense provisions, including a shelf adapted to store and dispense the provisions at a distance above the ground that allows the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter, and a lane adjacent the shelf that is wide enough to allow the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter without blocking the lane; an entertainment structure to provide entertainment, including a module for seating the user while riding the scooter so that the user may receive the entertainment; wherein the scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to provide shopping and entertainment to the user.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing services to a user includes: providing a vehicle to transport the user; providing a shopping facility having shelves and lanes adapted to help the user navigate the shopping facility to shop; providing a communications facility having visual and audio enhancements to help the user communicate; and providing a sanitary facility having rails to help the user perform sanitary functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a chart of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, including the best mode of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not indicate that the steps must be performed in that order.

An embodiment of the invention provides a shopping, services, and social entertainment center for independent elderly senior citizens.

An embodiment includes a convenient, all-in-one center that meets the needs of elderly senior citizens, who may be totally handicapped. Embodiments may have facilities with overhangs, covered drops off areas, and an entire complex designed for the elderly, along with retail stores. An embodiment of the current invention may provide a system for independent elderly citizens to remain independent, including shopping, services, entertainment and living accommodations, making the booming and growing elderly market happy in addition to keeping them in their homes vs. assisted living places. Embodiments include visual and audio enhancements to help with vision or hearing problems.

An embodiment may enable persons to remain independent in their own homes longer than existing systems, thus avoiding the need for nursing homes, assisted living, etc. An embodiment enables elderly senior citizens to remain and live independently of assisted living and nursing homes without family or paid live-in care intervention for a much longer period of time happily.

To use an embodiment of the present invention, persons could use it to exist independently longer. An embodiment may provide daily maintenance needs & services, groceries, entertainment, possible living accommodations all with that dimension of caring and assistance with covered areas and such necessary equipment other facilities do not provide.

An embodiment of the present invention, which may be called “Quality Superior Shopping, Services and Entertainment for Independent Elderly Senior Citizens”, may include some, or any, or all, of the following elements:

-   -   Motorized Scooters;     -   One-lane pull-out parking first lanes, as indicated in markings         on the lane;     -   Valet parking;     -   Covered overhang drop-offs at each entrance;     -   Assistants to help get in and out of cars or scooters, with         packages, or to drop-off laundry, dry-cleaning, paperwork,         arrange for returns, get appropriate scooters, etc.;     -   Lower customer shelves, easily reachable at maximum height of         5′6″;     -   Widened aisles;     -   Enlarged readable print on literature;     -   Totally handicapped built facility;     -   No steps or curbs;     -   Ground level shopping area;     -   Railings throughout;     -   Entire complex designed for elderly seniors;     -   Food at restaurant and grocery prepared meals based on the US         elderly senior modified food chart, that is more nutritionally         packed, with smaller proportions;     -   Entertainment geared for elderly seniors with activities         director;     -   Special seating with automated push up seats;     -   Special bathrooms at all stalls with wide entrances, including         high-push up toilet seats, higher sinks, etc, or other seats to         accommodate seniors with getting up and down;     -   Bright lighting and illumination;     -   Louder volumes for assistance w/loss of hearing;     -   Magnified reading accommodations;     -   Coat checks and concierge for senior assistance with drop off         and pick-ups;     -   Transportation services on site with handicapped accessible         vans;     -   Membership—different levels from basic to full, including meal         and service plan;     -   Special cups, glasses, and silverware designed for elderly         seniors;     -   Seniorsize exercises;     -   Special tropical atrium with sun filtered light and         assistants/and or waiters;     -   Special senior movie theatre, lighter, louder, wider lanes,         smaller and large open area for scooters and wheelchairs with         desired old and current movies; and     -   Free library with magnifying equipment

An embodiment of the entire complex may be designed to accommodate elderly seniors with every thought to shopping, services, and entertainment designed to help them maintain an independent life prolonging the need for assisted living or nursing homes for their daily survival. An embodiment of shopping shelves may be between 1 feet and 5 and ½ feet above the ground, with lanes at least 8 feet wide, and the signage having lettering at least 0.5 inches tall. Dining ware for the elderly may include lighter, larger cups & glasses, filled lower to avoid embarrassing spills, the cups with wider finger holes to accommodate enlarged knuckles and arthritic hands. Wider doorways and paths may accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. Holding bars may be provided in the tub, shower, and by the toilet. Kitchen aisles may be wide, and cabinets may be low and within reach. Living spaces may have a flow designed for scooter use, with no steps or stairs.

As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention 10 may provide shopping, services, and entertainment for elderly people, with living accommodations where possible. Embodiments may include covered entrances and parking 12, and scooters and attendants 14. These are used for shopping 16, services 18, and entertainment 20. The scooters and attendants 14 utilize valet parking, drop-off, one-lane pull-out parking, and regular parking 22. Also provided are living accommodations 24.

As depicted in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention 30 may include shopping 16, services 18, entertainment 20, and living accommodations 24. Scooters 14A and attendants 14B are available to help, and parking 22 is provided. Scooter storage 32 may be provided for the scooters 14A. Speed bumps 34 help slow traffic. A cover 36 provides a covered drop-off area. 

1. A system for providing shopping and entertainment to a user, comprising: a motorized scooter adapted to be ridden by the user; a shopping structure to dispense provisions, including a shelf adapted to store and dispense the provisions at a distance above the ground that allows the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter, and a lane adjacent the shelf that is wide enough to allow the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter without blocking the lane; an entertainment structure to provide entertainment, including a module for seating the user while riding the scooter so that the user may receive the entertainment; wherein the scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to provide shopping and entertainment to the user.
 2. The system of claim 1, the shopping structure further including signage large enough to identify the provisions to a user while riding the scooter; and the entertainment structure further including a visual module adapted to provide images to visually impaired persons.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the shelf of the shopping structure is between 1 feet and 5 and ½ feet above the ground, the lane of the shopping structure is at least 8 feet wide, and the signage of the shopping center has lettering at least 0.5 inches tall.
 4. The system of claim 1, the entertainment structure further including an audio module adapted to provide sound to hearing impaired persons.
 5. The system of claim 1, the entertainment structure further including push-up seats to accommodate a user who is mobility impaired.
 6. The system of claim 1, the shopping structure providing step-and-curb-free access to the provisions, and the entertainment structure providing step-and-curb-free access to the entertainment.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a parking module for the scooter having an entrance and an exit generally opposite the entrance; wherein the user rides the scooter into the entrance in a direction, parks the scooter, and then rides the scooter out the exit in generally the same direction.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a bathroom having an entrance wide enough to receive the scooter and rails to accommodate a user who is mobility impaired.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: high-positioned toilets having pull up bars to facilitate getting up, adult diaper dispensers, and a call button.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user is an elderly person, and the scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to accommodate the elderly user.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: living accommodations, the shopping structure, entertainment structure, and living accommodations cooperating to accommodate elderly persons.
 12. A method for providing services to a user, comprising: providing a vehicle to transport the user; providing a shopping facility having shelves and lanes adapted to help the user navigate the shopping facility to shop; providing a communications facility having visual and audio enhancements to help the user communicate; and providing a sanitary facility having rails to help the user perform sanitary functions.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user is an elderly person.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing vehicle parking assistance to the user utilizing a covered overhang drop-off and parking spaces to guard from inclement weather.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing prepared food to the user utilizing cups and dining ware adapted for use by elderly persons.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing living accommodations to the user having rails to help the user navigate the living accommodations. 